How To: Sewing with Minky

This super soft and supple fabric is great for blankets, scarves, stuffed animals and much more, but its characteristic softness can also make it a little more challenging to work with. Here are a few tips and tricks to make it easier to sew with minky fabric:

Minky is 100% polyester so it will not shrink. Be sure to pre-wash/ pre-shrink any other fabrics that you will be using with Minky fabric.

Minky has a 2-way stretch: stable parallel to the selvage, and stretches across the width of the fabric.

Take note of the nap on your fabric, so that it goes in the right direction on your project.

Be prepared for a flurry of fuzz when you cut Minky. It can get messy! Using a rotary cutter makes it a little easier, but give it a good shake before you start pinning together to get rid of as much extra bits as possible.

Keep some scraps and test before you sew your final project. You may need to adjust your stitch length and/or tension.

Use a minimum of 1/2” seam allowance since Minky fabric tends to curl.

When sewing Minky to quilting cotton, place the Minky on the bottom, right sides together, when stitching. This often helps it feed through more evenly. Or you may use a walking foot.

Pin generously to keep the Minky in the right place; it slips easily!

Always use a pressing cloth and do not iron directly on Minky fabric. You can place the Minky face down on a towel and press on low heat, or steam with a pressing cloth.

Clean your machine’s throat, feed dogs and bobbin case periodically as the fuzz will build up faster than you’d imagine.

When making a quilt with a Minky backing, you may be able to skip the batting altogether since Minky fabric is fairly substantial and adds loft itself.